Philosophy
Miriam’s school program is founded on the belief that children possess unique talents and abilities that can be strengthened within an educational environment that supports their learning needs.
The school program is designed for children in kindergarten through 12th grade who have learning, speech and language, sensory-motor, attention and social skill delays.
Through a team approach, small class size and the development of personalized learning plans, the school provides a variety of accommodations, curriculum modifications and specialized instruction designed to meet the educational needs and support the social skills development of each child.
In recognition of the complex learning needs of our students, Miriam incorporates the following elements into our educational program:
- A strong, caring and nurturing school community
- A low student/faculty ratio
- A personalized approach to instruction
- A highly structured environment
- The integration of speech and language and occupational therapies into the special education services
- Experiential and multi-sensory instructional methods that highlight essential skills for success in today’s world, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration
- An instructional approach that emphasizes both remediation and compensatory skills in the areas of reading, mathematics and written language
- A commitment to the integration of innovative technology into the curriculum
- Directed instruction that emphasizes social thinking, highlights personal responsibility and encourages positive contributions to the school community
- Guided instruction and support for student self-awareness and self-advocacy
- A strong partnership between faculty, parents and students
Goals
Children who come to Miriam learn to succeed and thrive in an educational environment that supports their needs and those of their families. The following goals flow from the school philosophy and convey the objectives of the school program:
- To provide a personalized educational program that addresses the academic, communication, sensory-motor and social needs of each student
- To use differentiated instruction and curriculum modifications to accommodate varied learning styles and individual abilities
- To offer a blended educational approach that is grounded in the acquisition of basic academic competencies and 21st century skills
- To encourage students to develop a sense of personal and social responsibility that promotes confidence, self-advocacy and independence
- To provide students with innovative technology that complements their learning styles and supports the acquisition of 21st Century skills
- To establish effective communication as a crucial component of the partnership among parents, students and faculty
